The Return of Locklear

The Return of Locklear (Part 2 of Series)

The alley was narrow and stank like piss; no doubt it made a home base for some local vagabonds. Other than a few dumpsters and an abandoned shopping cart, there was nothing to be seen. I had just begun to turn back out onto the street when I heard a soft clatter coming from the shadows.

In an instant I had whipped around to search for the source of the noise. It was then that I noticed the shadowy figure leaning against one of the brick façades. Just over 6 feet tall, I immediately recognized that strange, out of place robe.

Just then, the now rapidly setting sun cast a gleam of light over my observer's face, once again revealing those deep blue, hatred filled eyes. The expression he wore seemed to mock me, daring me to confront him. So I gladly obliged.

Another horrific mistake. As I charged him, I did not see the ever so thin wire stretching from the bottom of the shopping cart to the adjacent dumpster. My ankle was immediately filled with the searing pain as the wire dug into my flesh, sending me crashing to the ground. Before I could regain my composure the man was on top of me, shoving a rag over my mouth and nose. Suddenly, the world around me began to fade.

By the time I woke up, the sun had completely set. The only reason I knew this was because of the dusty old window across the room from which I could just barely make out the night sky. It took me a moment to come to my senses. But when I did I immediately knew something was horribly wrong.

I was in some sort of dimly lit room. I tried to look around but found it difficult, as I had been strapped to a gurney. From what I could gather from glimpses through my peripheral vision, it looked as though I were in the middle of someone's sitting room. It was completely dark save for the flickering of an old box television on a rolling cart. Despite most of the furnishings remaining in good condition, I doubted anyone had actually lived here for a long time.

I tugged at my restraints but found them to be secure. Just as I began to panic I heard footsteps approaching, accompanied by the squeal of ungreased wheels. Not knowing what to do, I laid as still as I could manage and pretended that I had not yet regained consciousness.

This either worked or the loony decided to play along, because he did not disturb me. Instead he continued to push whatever it was that was making the horrible racket until it came to a stop right beside me. It wasn't until he began cooing over it as if it were a frightened child that I realized I must not be alone in this predicament.

Through the madman's soft babblings I could hear the muffled sobs of another grown man. I was too focused on attempting to keep my breath steady and remain undetected that I didn't hear exactly what my captor was saying. However based on his demeanor, it sounded as if he were attempting to comfort the now pitifully weeping man beside me.

The sound of the poor man's apparent agony was too much for me to maintain my resolve. For a split second I inhaled suddenly before frantically attempting to regain my steady breathing pattern. I broke out into cold sweat when I heard the madman grow silent. I closed my eyes tight as I heard tender footfalls approach me.

A gloved hand gingerly rested upon my temple for a moment before quickly withdrawing at the sound of a shrill cry from the man beside me. Clicking his tongue, I heard the madman leave my side once again.

After tending to the man to my left for a few more minutes, my captor announced that something was nearly ready, and the man beside me didn't have much longer to wait. He then promptly left the room, his dark robe flowing ominously behind him.

I took this moment to try and find out as much as I could. I tried my restraints again and found that the ones holding my head in place were old and a bit loose. After a bit of finagling, I was able to completely turn my head to the side to gaze upon my involuntary companion. It was then that the true horror of the situation struck me.